Recap: Washington vs. Miami

Washington, DC (Sports Network) - Ian Desmond had three hits, an RBI, and a stolen base, as the Washington Nationals edged the Miami Marlins, 2-1, in the opener of a three-game set.

Bryce Harper and Adam LaRoche both contributed a pair of hits for the Nationals, while Jayson Werth drove in the other run.

Ross Ohlendorf (3-0) lasted five-plus innings while surrendering only a Christian Yelich home run among his three hits with three strikeouts for the Nationals, who have won seven of their last ten games.

Yelich went 2-for-4 for the Marlins who have won once in their last seven games. Miami's offense only mustered four hits against the Nationals

Miami starter Nathan Eovaldi (2-5) tossed six innings allowing two runs on eight hits. The right-hander also fanned six batters in his fifth straight loss. Eovaldi has not earned a win since July 12.

The Nationals put runners on the corners after singles from Ryan Zimmerman and Harper in the first. Werth drove in Zimmerman on a groundout before a single from Desmond plated Harper from second.

"I felt comfortable, but I usually run into some trouble in the first inning," Eovaldi said. "I felt like I located my pitches for the most part, but they put the ball in play and got some hits."

The Marlins loaded the bases in the top of the fourth, but failed to score any runs. Yelich hit a leadoff single to right before Giancarlo Stanton moved him over to third on a one-out double. Logan Morrison was intentionally walked to load the bases, but Ohlendorf got out of the jam after striking out Ed Lucas and making Justin Ruggiano ground into a force out.

Singles from Desmond and LaRoche plus a walk to Anthony Rendon loaded the bases for the Nationals in the fourth, but they also could not convert.

Yelich homered to right to lead off the sixth, ending Ohlendorf's night.

"We did a good job of getting some runs early against a good pitcher," Ohlendorf said. "The bullpen did really well today. To give them four innings like that and shut them out ... I wish I pitched deeper, but they did a great job picking me up."

Tanner Roark, Drew Storen and Tyler Clippard combined for five strikeouts over the next three hitless innings.

Rafael Soriano entered in the ninth and only gave up a single to Ruggiano before nailing down his 34th save of the season.

Game Notes

Marlins reinstated Placido Polanco from the seven-day concussion disabled list
prior to the game ...Denard Span extended his hitting streak to 10 games
while Harper brought his to nine games ... Washington leads the season series
7-3.